In India, Gandhi emerged as a nationalist leader

At the age of 45, Gandhi traveled back to India in 1915. He organized rural and urban laborers to demonstrate against discrimination and high land taxes. Gandhi called for nationwide strikes in opposition to the oppressive Rowlatt Acts while also recruiting soldiers for the British Indian Army.

However, by February 1919, the British had insisted on passing the Rowlatt Acts, which allowed the government to detain anybody accused of sedition without a trial, despite considerable Indian opposition. Gandhi ultimately declared a satyagraha fight after being provoked and displayed a sense of alienation from the British raj. As a result, the subcontinent saw a virtual political earthquake in the spring of 1919. He was forced to hold back because of the subsequent violent uprisings, most notably the Massacre of Amritsar, which saw almost 400 Indians killed by British-led forces while they were gathering in an open space in Amritsar, in the Punjab region (now in Punjab state).

In 1921, Gandhi assumed control of the Indian National Congress. He orchestrated campaigns all over India to push for self-rule, as well as to reduce poverty, advance women's rights, foster inter-ethnic and religious harmony, and abolish caste-based discrimination.